Last week, Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance students took center screen at our 4th Annual Spelling Bee Virtual Event, proudly showcasing their spelling skills, confidence, and determination. This year’s event welcomed 38 student participants, with 22 students competing in grades 3-5 and 16 students in grades 6-8, making it one of the most engaging Bees yet!

A Marathon Bee for Grades 3-5

The 3rd-5th grade competition proved to be a true test of stamina and focus, lasting an impressive 24 rounds. As the Bee progressed, the pressure built and the judges began to use words from the ‘challenging words’ category. The final two competitors went head-to-head for more than five rounds, each spelling word after word correctly.

Familiar words like balloon, rode, hurt, and dinner kept students locked in – until the winning moment arrived. After carefully listening, visualizing, and spelling with confidence, Morris B. (Lake View) clinched first place by correctly spelling the word “immigrants.”

3rd–5th Grade Winners
🥇 1st Place: Morris B. (Lake View)
🥈 2nd Place: Rose M. (Clarksville)
🥉 3rd Place: Jackson S. (Clarksville), Falconer RC. (Feather River), Elijah K. (Feather River)

Winning Word: immigrants

Morris shared insight into his success, saying:

“The part I loved most was actually spelling the words. My tip to other students is to listen carefully to the word, visualize it in your mind, and then spell it. Learning to type really helped me, and I read a lot of books. Somehow my brain takes a picture of the word – like a snapshot – and that helps me remember it.”

Grades 6–8th Category

The 6th–8th grade Bee concluded at 2:45 p.m. after 10 rounds, with all 16 students demonstrating means of focus, preparation, and poise. The winning word, “newsstand,” marked the final moment of an exciting competition.

6th–8th Grade Winners
🥇 1st Place: Nolan E. (Clarksville)
🥈 2nd Place: Milana S. (Feather River)
🥉 3rd Place: Annika E. (Feather River)

Winning Word: newsstand

Winners from both divisions are now eligible and have decided to advance to Regional Competition, representing Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance. A regional win would open the door to the National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. – an incredible opportunity for these dedicated students.

Reflecting on the experience, Nolan shared:

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in the Sequoia Grove Spelling Bee since its inception four years ago. It’s a fun event that gives students a chance to showcase our spelling skills, and I look forward to hopefully continuing on in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.”

While only a few students took home titles, every participant showed courage, preparation, and confidence. The Sequoia Grove Virtual Spelling Bee is a special tradition that celebrates not just spelling, but perseverance and a love of learning.